Collapsible Checkout Basket for Direct Computer Vision Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional self-service checkout terminals require items to be unloaded from conventional shopping baskets and placed into a scan zone for computer vision systems, necessitating manual handling and obstructed views, which is inefficient and costly to install and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible shopping basket with vertically collapsible walls and a uniform image background that allows items to be scanned directly from the basket, eliminating the need for manual unloading and providing a clear view for computer vision systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional shopping basket is used with a computer vision checkout system, then items cannot be scanned directly from the basket, but if items are unloaded to the scan zone, then scanning can be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecheckout speedVSAvoidmanual handling requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shopping basket is designed with collapsible walls that can dynamically change from an expanded state (for carrying items) to a collapsed state (for scanning). This dynamic transformation allows the basket to adapt its structure to meet different operational requirements without requiring manual item handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The basket walls are divided into multiple collapsible sections that can be independently folded inward. This segmentation allows the walls to collapse flat against the basket body, clearing the scan zone while maintaining the basket's structural integrity and item containment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the scan zone is provided with a standardized background, then the vision system can properly operate, but installation costs increase and periodic maintenance is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevision system operationVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized background requirement is extracted from the fixed scan zone environment and transferred to the movable shopping basket itself. The basket's base incorporates the uniform background pattern, eliminating the need for expensive permanent background installations and ongoing maintenance of scan zone surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shopping basket base serves multiple functions: it contains items during shopping, provides a standardized background for computer vision scanning when collapsed, and eliminates the need for separate background installation and maintenance infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12534268B2Computer vision checkout basket and method of use thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

A collapsible shopping basket has a rectangular base with two opposing sides, two opposing ends, and a central portion for supporting items to be purchased. A top rim has two opposing sides and two opposing end. Two vertically collapsible side walls and two vertically collapsible end walls are each coupled at a lower end to the rectangular base and at an upper end to an associated one of the two opposing sides or ends of the top rim. Two handles are coupled to the top rim. The vertically collapsible side walls and end walls are movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. Each vertically collapsible side walls and each vertically collapsible end walls are positioned so as to not obscure any part of the central portion of the rectangular base when in the collapsed position thereof.